On Writing

Rating:
Summary: Magnificant masterpiece
Review: The word masterpiece hardly captures the true essence of this book. It's soooooo funny, and soooooo wonderful for anyone and everyone to read. He begins by offering a hillarious look inside his younger years, and ends by telling about . . . well, you'll have to read it if you really want to know! haha Just read this book, it's honestly amazing! Even if you're not crazy about his scary fiction, you'll still love this, promise.

Rating:
Summary: Inside the head of Stephen King
Review: After reading a book that really moves me I always wonder how an author's brain is wired to develop such an interesting story. Mr. King, in his "On Writing" autobiography, shed some light on what food his feeding his thoughts as he writes his next novel. He shares his history, his thoughts, and anecdotal stories that have provided inputs into his novels, including his recent near-death experience at the hands of a drunk driver. Worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is really two books in one, the first is a brief autobiography of the author, the second some advice on writing.

The autobiography is remarkably frank and discusses King's battles with alcohol and drugs. It shows a man who is remarkably modest about his talents and in humble despite his enormous success. Despite his fame and wealth he seems very much a family man and one of the touching aspects of the book is his devotion to his wife.

His discussion of writing it simple. Read a lot so that you know how things work, write as much as you can and keep it simple. Don't' fall into complexity or the use of long words and ponderous sentences. All very good advice.

King is without doubt the most skilled of the popular writers. The interest of his books stem not from his plots and monsters but from his ability to create characters which are streets ahead of others in the field. His books reflect (despite their supernatural elements) a world grounded in reality in which ordinary people have the sorts of feelings which ordinary people have.

He now reveals himself as a person who is perhaps flawed but who is totally free from pretension or the sorts vanities which can afflict the more successful in our society.

Rating:
Summary: King of the hill
Review: The thing about Stephen King novels is you gotta find out how they end. The man can spin a yarn and tell a tale and leave you with something you didn't have. The Stand, The Shinning, Misery, The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, all are examples of stories that reached into my brain and left a shadow behind. On Writing is both a memoir and a funny, practical writing guide. He doesn't pull any punches when he lays out the true grit needed to crank out a book length novel. When he was hit by the car, my first thought was that it was a deranged fan, an Annie or even a Carrie. As time went on and it was just another bad driver, it seemed even more Stephen Kingish in the very banal way it happened. The most touching part of the book is his love and unwavering devotion to his wife. Very unusual to read a popular, wildly sucessful author give credit to his wife. I'm also heartened to read how he overcome his demons and didn't lose the muse along the way. Toss out all the other books on writing and keep your Strunk and White and this gem. And then, get thee to the key board. I'd go on but I've got to finish chapter 4....Thank you Mr. King.

Rating:
Summary: Door shut. Door open.
Review: A very good book.

As most have already said, it's a combination of autobiography _and_ book on writing. I really enjoyed the autobiography, it's compact, fast paced and tremendously entertaining. King remembers a few moments of his life in several small 'snapshots', as he puts it, which make for great reading and great insight into King, the writer.

The book on writing is not quite as good. Most of what King has to say is common sense. It's always interesting, though, to hear his voice, and he writes it in a way that encourages the reader, whether or not he or she intends to ever write, to actually sit down and do it. You get to know, also, in the end, what happened to King right before, during, and after his terrible accident a few months back.

Fans will definitely read (and appreciate) this book no matter what any reviewer says, but non-fans and even King's detractors, I believe, would like _On Writing_.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Advice for the Intuitive Writer
Review: There are two legitimate models of writing: intuitive where the writer sits down and lets the story unfold as it is written (with massive revision later) and methodical where the writer first outlines the story, composing plot, theme, and other literary elements before the story itself is actually written in its entirety. There are best sellers in both camps.

King is an intuitive writer and methodical writers will struggle with his outlook on the craft of writing. For intuitive writers, King is a wonder. The reason he gives a biographical study is that for intuitive writers, the story comes from within, crafted from their early experiences and filtered through a creative mind. With his childhood memory of the babysitter with "a dangerous sense of humor" and the demonic doctor treating the endless ear infections, it's no wonder King can pound out a story that keeps most people up at nights, mostly making it up as he goes.

Regardless, of your writing style, the most valuable part of the book for anybody is King's closing chapter on editing. Beginning writers and even professionals have something to learn from reading an unedited fragment of one of King's stories and taking note how he edits it to make it tighter.

One caveat. King has a propensity to use strong language which may be distracting to some readers. Reading his book reminds me of having lunch with a beloved, but blunt, Dutch uncle. The advice may sting at times and the topic may wander, but you'll walk away from the experience a better writer if you're willing to be teachable.

Rating:
Summary: If you're a beginning writer, you got to read this.
Review: To say Stephen King is candid about what it's like to be writer is an understatement. He visits with the reader, and not from a pedestal. I felt at home. It is a refreshing read "on writing". Stephen King does not fill the pages with prim and proper, cute, tidy, clever, but empty phrases-like other works I've read. This book has provided a lot of insight for me and will continue to do so. If you're a beginning writer, you got to read this. Mr. King, thanks for caring and sharing.

Rating:
Summary: Create The Tool Box
Review: ON WRITING convinced me of three things: Stephen King writes creepy stuff because he is a bit creepy himself, Stephen King is a much better writer than a lot of us ever have been willing to admit, and Stephen King would make one hell of a fine teacher.

I learned more from this book than I can say. It is entertaining and, for writers at least, inspiring. Like all good teachers--and all good writers, for that matter--King knows how to strip away the adverbs and the clutter, leaving a clean story and a clear idea.

Rating:
Summary: Almost a five
Review: While a nice biography of the life and times of Mr. King, if you're looking for the nuts and bolts of writing and publishing a best selling novel, there are better books available. After saying that, I must admit his critiques of his manuscripts were instructive, and confess I have not taken his challenge of writing a story as outlined in the book.

I highly recommend this book to aspiring writers, if only to get a feel of what it's like to be a writer.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: If only I could give more than five stars to this wonderful book! My only complaint is that the book is too short. I want more. Can we have a sequel please?? I've been a King fan since I read "Carrie" at the age of fifteen and found both his writing and his joy in the craft to be an inspiration in my own writing. Now that I've been published, I am often asked who my favorite authors are. King is always in the top three. This book, with its hilarious, touching and insightful glimpses into King's own life, is a real treat. I remain a giddy fan.